Col. Nicole Malachowski: Inspired Leadership

  • First woman to fly as a pilot with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, breaking barriers and inspiring a generation.
  • A retired Colonel with over 21 years of service in the U.S. Air Force, bringing unparalleled insights into leadership, adaptability, and resilience.
  • Renowned for her dynamic storytelling and ability to connect with audiences, leaving them inspired to embrace challenges and excel.
  • A vocal advocate for women in leadership and STEM fields, offering actionable insights for achieving success in traditionally male-dominated industries.

Travel & Fee Range:**

  • Travels from: Washington, DC, USA
  • **Fee range: On Request
  • Local:
  • Range: $20,001 - $35,000
  • US East:
  • Range: $20,001 - $35,000
  • US West:
  • Range: $20,001 - $35,000
  • Europe:
  • Range: $50,001 - $75,000
  • Asia:
  • Range: On Request

* This specific fee falls within this range. Ranges are presented as a guideline only. Speaker fees are subject to change without notice.

Col. Nicole Malachowski, USAF (Ret.) defies stereotypes. Yes, she was a jet fighter pilot, but if you think you know her based on that, you’d be wrong. A leader, a combat veteran, the first woman pilot on the Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron, a White House Fellow, and an inductee into both the National Women’s Hall […]

Col. Nicole Malachowski, USAF (Ret.) defies stereotypes. Yes, she was a jet fighter pilot, but if you think you know her based on that, you’d be wrong. A leader, a combat veteran, the first woman pilot on the Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron, a White House Fellow, and an inductee into both the National Women’s Hall of Fame and the Women in Aviation International Pioneer Hall of Fame, Nicole’s distinguished 21-year Air Force career exceeded her wildest dreams.

But the dream came to an end when a devastating tick-borne illness left her struggling greatly to speak or walk for almost nine months. An indomitable spirit, Nicole fought back against overwhelming odds and prevailed. Drawing on stories from her career and personal life, Nicole inspires audiences to rethink the challenges they face every day. She urges them to go beyond resilience and become resurgent.

Nicole’s empowers people with three key beliefs: failure and risk is the price of entry for achieving something great; sometimes you need to yield to overcome; and her personal mantra – “nobody wants to lead a scripted life.”

Col. Nicole Malachowski brings her experience to the stage and holds audiences spellbound with an easygoing authenticity of someone who’s achieved greatness. She’s been a member and leader of exceptional teams. She has faced overwhelming challenges and adversity and has come out on top.

While other high school students were practicing for their driver’s license, Nicole was accumulating flight time. She was sixteen years old when she took her first solo flight and from that point on there was no stopping her. While in high school, she joined the Civil Air Patrol and participated in Air Force Junior ROTC.

Nicole’s professional story began when she earned her commission from the United States Air Force Academy in 1996. Following graduation, she attended Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) at Columbus AFB, MS and began her career as a pilot. Competitively selected to fly combat aircraft, she was among the first group of women to fly modern fighter aircraft.

As a career pilot, she served in combat as an F-15E Flight Commander, Evaluator, Instructor Pilot and Flight Lead. Over her 21-year career, Col. Nicole Malachowski achieved the rating of Command Pilot with over 2,300 flight hours in six different Air Force aircraft. She was also selected to fly as Thunderbird #3 with the USAF Air Demonstration Squadron – the first woman to fly on any Department of Defense military jet demonstration team.

Col. Nicole Malachowski has served as a mission ready fighter pilot in three operational F-15E fighter squadrons and has flown over 188 combat hours, including her proudest moment as a fighter pilot: leading the first fighter formation to provide security for Iraq’s historic democratic elections in 2005.

View All Speakers and follow us on Twitter

Col. Nicole Malachowski | Leadership

Videos

Interest to Book? Send us your enquiry

Speaker Contact Form

Enquiry Form

In order to view the below you must be logged in.

  • Powerpoint Slide – For meeting and event planners
  • Gallery Images
  • High Resolution Images
  • PDF Files
  • Books and Magazine Links
  • Music List
  • Podcast Shows
  • Courses
  • + more

News Articles

You may be interested in...

  • (15)
  • (3)
James Beck

In a world where workplace culture is increasingly recognized as a critical component of organizational success, James Beck emerges as a beacon of transformative change. With a passion for neuroscience and a commitment to fostering happiness and unity in the workplace, James is not just a speaker; he is a catalyst for profound cultural shifts. […]

  • Travels from: Redondo Beach, CA
  • Leadership Speakers
  • (12)

Mary Kelly is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and spent over 20 years on active duty in intelligence and logistics. She retired from the Navy as a commander. She has master’s degrees in history and economics, and a PhD in economics. Mary Kelly has EXPERIENCE, and it’s this experience that helps your […]

  • Travels from: Dallas, TX
  • Finance Speakers
  • (13)
  • (5)

There are few who possess the electrifying presence and captivating storytelling ability of Christian “Boo” Boucousis. Hailing from St. Augustine, Florida, Boo is not just another speaker; he’s a force of nature who can set the stage ablaze, leaving audiences spellbound with his words of wisdom and infectious energy. Christian Boo Boucousis | Leadership Speaker […]

  • Travels from: Miami, FL
  • Leadership Speakers
  • (19)
Jeremy Blain

Jeremy Blain is an award-winning Business Leader, Futurist, New Era Learning Professional, Author & Conference Speaker. Jeremy is founder and CEO of Performance Works International (PWI). He has created PWI because he knows that his experience, knowledge and passion can help organisations and individuals face into the changing workplace and help them be fit and […]

  • Travels from: London, UK
  • Futurists Speakers
  • (25)
  • (4)
JP Pawliw-Fry

JP Pawliw-Fry is an internationally renowned speaker, thought leader, and co-author of the global bestseller Performing Under Pressure: The Science of Doing Your Best When It Matters Most. With a career dedicated to enhancing leadership performance, emotional intelligence, and resilience, JP has captivated audiences around the world, delivering actionable insights that empower individuals and organizations […]

  • Travels from: Toronto, ON
  • Peak Performance
  • (9)
Nidhi Tewari

Nidhi Tewari is a dynamic and influential figure in the realm of workplace culture and wellbeing. With a unique blend of clinical expertise and a decade-long immersion in therapy, she stands at the intersection of mental health advocacy and organizational development. Nidhi brings a wealth of experience garnered from her specialized work with high-performing leaders, […]

  • Travels from: Washington, DC
  • Culture Speakers
  • (29)
  • (1)
Andrea Guendelman

Andrea Guendelman is a writer, speaker, and entrepreneur who specializes in Expansive Leadership—helping individuals and organizations unlock potential through openness. She is a leading force in creating platforms for minority professionals and the tech industry. Through her own experiences as a Harvard-trained corporate lawyer and an entrepreneur, she co-created Bevisiblelatinx, Wallbreakers, and most recently, Speak – a […]

  • Travels from: Denver, CO
  • Leadership Speakers
  • (12)
Cal Fussman - Big Questions

For over four decades, Cal Fussman has interviewed hundreds of the world’s most influential individuals: Muhammad Ali, Jack Welch, Mikhail Gorbachev, Serena Williams, Jeff Bezos, Jimmy Carter, Kobe Bryant, Richard Branson, and the list goes on. Now, as a New York Times bestselling author, keynote speaker, world-renowned interviewer, and host of the Big Questions podcast, […]

  • Travels from: Los Angeles, CA
  • Leadership Speakers
Disclaimer
The profiles and images embedded on these pages are from various conference entertainers and other talent.

These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.

Fee ranges where listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only.

All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.

Subscribe to our Newsletter and get connected:

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

We use Brevo as our marketing platform. By submitting this form you agree that the personal data you provided will be transferred to Brevo for processing in accordance with Brevo's Privacy Policy.

Our Mission:

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

© All rights reserved 2025.  Designed using Voxel